There’s not a week that goes by without at least one total ‘stranger’ stopping me out of the blue and asking me… “Can I ask you what your secret is for keeping yourself in such great shape?”
Now you have to realize – I’m not exactly an “imposing figure”…
But in the last 2 weeks – this has happened literally almost every day. Everywhere I go… Publix, Target, Whole Foods, the bank, the beach…
So – I took that as a sign to write about ‘my secret’…
Now, the beach is a no-brainer because I’m just wearing swim-shorts – so it’s easy to see my whole physique (almost). I’m usually with my kids – and sometimes their friends…
It’s sometimes tricky for people to figure out “who I am”.
Am I the babysitter? …the older brother?
When they realize I’m their Dad – then they get really surprised. Because, truth is – most dads have a wickedly rounded beer gut flopping out over their swim-shorts – at the center of an un-toned, rapidly aging body. And it’s an extreme rarity to see a dad of 3, with washboard abs, 9% body-fat and a well-balanced, aesthetically pleasing physique.
It’s important to note here – this is not all about the superficial aspects. Because my ‘secret’ lies in the non-superficial elements of keeping myself in-shape – in mind, body and spirit.
But even when ‘fully clothed’ – people can still see that ‘I’m fit.’ It just shows… But they can also sense I’m not in my early 20’s. Maybe it’s the several white hairs in my goat-T which hint I’m more in the ‘middle-age’ zone, from a chronological perspective.
Physiologically – I’m not even close to 40 years old. At my last physical, my doctor joked… “I’ll see you back here, for your next check-up, in ten years, Joey.”
Now before I reveal my secret – let me just list a few neat things about being healthy & fit as a single, ‘middle-aged’, dad:
1 – It should make finding my “wife-for-life” a bit easier. Let’s face it – most women would rather not be with an out of shape and unhealthy mate. Simple.
2 – My kids think it’s cool to see how other people check out their dad – and ask “how I do it”, etc..
3 – I’m a role model for my kids; as they see what I do and participate in some of my workouts too. They also learn how to eat by direct experience on the weekends/days they are with me.
4 – I’m rarely sick and I look forward to waking up every day to experience all that life sends my way.
5 – I’m a role model and an inspiration for other middle-age parents. They realize, especially after speaking with me, “they can do it too.”
I can add more to this list – and maybe you can too (feel free to do so in the comments section below)…
But now – it’s time to share my ‘secret’… This is how “I do it…”
‘A’ is the MOST important and it sets the stage for EVERYTHING else…
A – Being fit and in-shape is part of my values. I’ve been horribly out of shape/unhealthy in the past – and that way of life is not for me. Since it’s part of my values – it all goes deeper than the superficial aspects of simply “having a great body” – IT ALSO TOUCHES THE MIND AND THE SPIRIT. It enhances this multi-dimensional ‘connection’.
B – Exercise and eating right (most of the time) are not options – they are actions/habits in line with who “I am.” I want a high quality of life. I want to lead by example. I want to ‘Live to the Max’.
C – I enjoy my workouts and the foods/meals I eat. I don’t have to force myself to do anything. I crave it all. I look forward to it all. (If you are not enjoying your workouts and the foods you eat – you may need to re-evaluate it all – SO YOU ARE DOING THINGS YOU ENJOY WHICH WORK IN YOUR FAVOR)
D – My workouts are 90% body-weight training. This allows me to workout literally ANYWHERE. Some of my best workouts when I travel are done on a playground. (the other 10% involves, bands, dumbbells, medicine ball). I am free from the confines of “the gym” – although I can walk into any sweat shop and get busy with the best of them – BUT, by doing it my way.
At this point I’m realizing there is plenty more for me to share about this – so, I’ll surely be expanding on some of these points in future posts. But, for now – please feel free to share your thoughts, comments or questions below… I’d love to hear from you…
I hope you’re having a great week – and you are ‘Living to the Max’ – or at least making efforts in that direction. To help you along, I’ve been writing some pertinent pieces of info…
Here’s a summary of articles, blog posts and information you may have missed during the past week or so… All in one place for your reading convenience
1 – Atlas Home Gym: I’ve created a special new site for the ‘HG’ version of the Atlas Unit. There are already some great articles and videos on the site. But I will be adding MANY more to grow the site into a ‘home gym powerhouse’. I think you’ll really like this =>> Home Gym Blog
2 – Yoga Exposed: Are There Really Any Benefits of Yoga? <= this is an article I just posted on the ULBHTM Blog click to visit => Are There Really Any Benefits of Yoga?
3 – Back-Pain Article and Free Back-Pain CDs <= this is an article I recently posted on the Optimum Flexibility Blog click to visit => Back-Pain Article and Free Back-Pain CDs
4 – Co-Ed Total-Body FUSION Fitness DVDs: I should have the masters in my hand any day now, and once reviewed, I ship them out west to my fulfillment partners in Utah. I’m putting together an incredible bonus package to go with this dvd set. I promise it will knock your socks off. On a side note – Kristy and I will be marketing these dvd sets separately as we both have slightly different audiences, she will be creating a bonus package more suited to her audience.
5 – Half-Day Coaching/Training Sessions in New York and Connecticut: I’ll be ’sneaking’ into the lower New York and Connecticut area for the second half of July. If you are in that region and are interested in a Half-Day Coaching/Training Session. Click on the ‘CONTACT’ page and send me an email.
Thanks for stopping by here today. I appreciate you taking the time to read what I write for you…
Please feel free to share today’s post with anyone you know who can benefit from any of the helpful info I’ve shared with you.
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The last few weeks have been pretty incredible – So many things coming together – It’s time to share some of it with you…
In my last blog post I told you about an incredible fitness pro who has really impressed me (and me her so much so that we are putting our heads together in order to bring you some top notch fitness items – such as a free radio show/podcast, awesome new exercise dvds and a handful of other surprises along the journey…
Even Better Than Wonder Woman – She’s REAL
Well, it’s officially time for me to introduce you to her. But before I do that – I want to say a few words about the ‘person’ behind the persona…
I’m a nickname fan – And I’ve already called Kristy a bunch of different things – such as: “The K-Bomb” and SuperGirl. (you’ll see why shortly)…
Like me – Kristy has had to overcome some significant obstacles in her life in order to achieve the great success she has, thus far in her life. None of what you are about to see has come “easily” to her – and because of that, it should not only inspire you – but fuel your motivation to keep moving forward when things don’t seem to be going your way.
In time, Kristy and I will get into finer details, most likely in the web radio show we will be doing together, starting in the near future.
There’s is no doubt – “superficially”, she is amazing in many ways – But her spirit is even more amazing…
What really drew me to her, is her mindset, her philosophy and her genuine desire to help those who have been unsuccessful up to this point. She and I immediately ‘clicked’ on that level – and it set the stage for all that is starting to come together now….
The First Workout
On Easter Sunday, Kristy took the ride here to Jacksonville, from Orlando – and we spent 2 solids hours going through some great workouts, challenging each other – and really having fun as we got to know each other a bit. The rest of the day was all about brainstorming and thinking of the ways we will team up to create some great stuff (Indoor/Outdoor Fitness DVDS, etc..) for different types of people – Both male and female.
Before I let you meet her – all I ask is that you take a few minutes to share your thoughts, comments and questions at the bottom of this post – after you watch the videos, etc….
Kristy will be stopping by here to see how this post is going and what kind of feedback we are getting – (She is very excited – as am I).
Help Us Name The Web Radio Show/Podcast
Also – Please let us know if you’d be interested in listening to Kristy and I in a free, monthly web-radio show/podcast – where we answer questions, talk about fitness & nutrition myths, etc….
I dare you to watch this video only once. She’s AWESOME. And yes – that is her doing all the flips, etc…
Here is a little video clip we shot at the end of our Big Easter Workout Session:
I think you see now why I consider her a ’special’ fitness pro and person.
I’ve been interested in teaming up with a female fitness specialist for quite some time now – But up until meeting Kristy – nobody has been able to show me the unique traits I’ve been looking for…
Well, now it’s time to make some magic – all in efforts of helping you and anyone else who wants to join this “way”…
Please just take a minute to share your thoughts and comments below, maybe even help us name the radio show??? We are waiting to hear from you!!
If you’ve been following me for a bit – you know I don’t like to intentionally ’stir the pot’. I’m just not a fan of drama…
That being said – I do all I can to share my core values and beliefs in all aspects of my life. If someone doesn’t agree – or isn’t on the same frequency as me – I’m ok with that, just go your own way if what I share doesn’t jibe with you…
When it come to the specific topic of fitness – the same rules apply. There are many methods and approaches out there. But this isn’t a judging session – just don’t have the time or need for that.
I simply lead by example.
Whoever wants to join me is free to – Whoever doesn’t is free to seek their way.
Quite often, leading by example means nothing more than doing your own thing and letting your actions carry the message.
On that note I have a great story which is tied to the headline of this post. But before I share that story, I want to give you a few quick ‘behind-the-scenes’ updates on what’s developing here in AtlasVille…
1 – The Atlas Unit: Many people have been asking “When can I buy one??”
Fitness Centers, Conditioning Pros and Personal Trainers can buy one right now (the sale price is part of the pre-release promo). We had to set up a temporary demo site to allow this to happen. All details are here: http://www.FunctionalGymUnit.com
If you are interested in one for your home or office – the good news is I am making a home/residential version of the unit specifically for you. It is less expensive than the Club Model and still does everything the Club Model does.
2 – I’ve met a true fitness pro who shares a very similar philosophy with me – not just in fitness but in other areas of life as well. Because of this rare synergy – there lies the potential for us to create some VERY helpful materials for you in the near future. **Stay tuned… In due time I will introduce you to her.**
3 – Free Home Fitness Videos: I’ve been getting a lot of great feedback and ‘thank yous’ about my Home-Fitness-TV channel. Over the next few weeks and months I’ll be adding more fitness videos to the channel. I’m planning on shooting some VERY cool playground/outdoor workout videos for you… Most likely with the help of my friend mentioned above.
OK – now I share with you a great post from a devout Joey Atlas Student (Deena posted this on my Facebook page) – who leads by her own example.
She learns first – then leads by example. Simple – yet profound…
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“Hey Joey, I had to share this with you……
I’ve been doing the fourth exercize from the mini core workout (what I call the overhead wood chopper!! (”,)) on alternate days at the gym for about three weeks now, and I’ve noticed considerable change in my mid section, and in my core strength and balance (I do the exercize in a slow controlled movement from a standing position).
The funny thing is, we’ve got one of those body-builder types at gym who thinks he knows what’s best for every one. He’s an old guy (65 years) who competes in competitions, and when I first started doing the exercize he came over and asked what I was doing, and why, and then proceeded to scornfully tell me there was no point to it unless I’m into yoga (”,)
Then last week as I’m halfway through my set he comes over and asks me if I can show him how to do it!!!!!!!!
He said he’d been watching me over the past couple of weeks and had noticed how fluid and controlled my movements had become (plus i’d increased the weight from 15kg’s to 35kg’s!), and that he’d also noticed the change in my mid section (I bit back the urge to call him a dirty old man)!
It just goes to show that you can teach an old dog new tricks and I can’t wait to get to gym tomorrow to show him the exercizes from your latest free workouts!”
LOVE YOUR WORK!!!
Best regards,
– Deena
South Africa
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Yes – I enjoyed reading that just as much as you did – Maybe even a bit more
Are you leading by example?
If so, please tell me how – in the ‘comment’ box below. Or just feel free to post any questions or comments that may be on your mind…
And if you’re not leading by example – then it’s never too late to start. Never too late…
Last week I mentioned I’d be sending out this next issue of ‘LIVE to the MAX’ to highlight some things that are going on in my life – that, undoubtedly have, are or will be going on in yours – If not with you directly – surely with someone you know…
Let’s take this one subject at a time:
DIVORCE:
Many of you already know I’ve already been divorced once. Well, I’m in the midst of divorce # 2 right now. It’s an “amicable” one – But even amicable divorces are loaded with their own challenges, especially when a child or children are involved.
That being said – I have MUCH to be grateful for – in going through these 2 episodes of my life. I have grown in ways that ONLY these 2 marriages could have helped me grow.
I have learned things about myself – and other people – that I could have ONLY learned by going through these 2 marriages that I speak of…
The person I have become – the person I have grown into – could only have grown as such – by going through specific experiences designed to properly prepare me for the rest of my life. And for all of this, I am thankful.
A diamond becomes a diamond after certain elements are combined and then exposed to incredibly extreme levels of pressure and forces…
We can choose to apply this example as a metaphor to our own lives.
I’m not a diamond yet – but I’m so much closer now. And the future looks undeniably bright – as I strive to make the most out of my life – and ‘live to the max’.
CAREER:
This is an area of life where countless people never get a chance (or take a chance) to ‘live to the max’…
Last week, during an evening fit-walk, I was on the phone with my brother, Dom, for about 90 minutes.
Dom, Marisa, Joey
He’s 3 years younger than me – but we’ve always been close in many ways. We have many similarities – but also some clear differences. Our mother wonders sometimes if we are both hers!! (we also have a sister too, Marisa – I’ll cover her in the future
Dom looks up to me in many ways …says he “wishes he could be as reckless as me…” (JUST KIDDING)… But I also look up to him in certain regards. For example, he epitomizes the definition of a “good daddy” – and while I’m pretty good myself – He makes me want to be even better. That’s just one example…
He’s also VERY funny – But I am at least neck and neck with him there.
For example – in this photo – If you could see the whole thing – before I cropped it, you’d get the full effect…
One of our Police friends stopped by. Dom went inside to grab some fake teeth and a hat. He then had the cuffs put on him – and jumped into the back seat, stuck his cuffed hands out the window and… Boom – Instant Kodak moment – Classic! I laugh every time I look at that photo.
Dom In Police Car
Anyway – Dom has always been the ‘conservative’ type – While I’ve always been the ‘risk taker’ – especially when it comes to career…
He is essentially in the same field as me – Health/Fitness/Nutrition – But in a slightly different capacity. Most of his time has been spent in a physical rehabilitation setting, working with pre and post surgery patients – as well as work related injury rehab cases.
It has been a steady and “safe” job for him – for many years – and to him it was ‘comfortable’…
I must mention – there have been events and forces in his life – which made that job even more “safe and comfortable”…
In addition to that – he also has a steady and loyal following of private clients he sees several times a week for personal fitness training appointments.
He is VERY good at what he does – and carries a very similar style and philosophy to mine (smart guy!)…
But in addition to that – He also has a VERY special gift for creating very appetizing, healthy, yet simple meals that fit the busy fitness lifestyle – Meals and snacks that you, and many people you know, would GREATLY appreciate and welcome into your life.
Anyhow – Our phone conversation revolved around the subject of imminent regulatory changes in the field of physical rehab medicine and therefore at the rehab office where he works – and hence the uncertainty of his position at the clinic.
Dom is married to my sister in law, Liz – and they have a daughter, Sophia, my lovely niece…
He is responsible for a lot.
This uncertainty of his position is causing a certain level of anxiety and uncertainty… and I’m trying to show him this is his time where “the elements are being exposed to forces and pressures that can turn them into the diamond…”
Truth be told – he doesn’t belong there – He has many talents to offer this world – Talents that other people pay dearly for to develop…
We also talked about:
1 – What is the subtle message the Universe is sending you right now? What signal is it sending you?
2 – Fear is only something in your mind that you imagine. Fear is not tangible – you create it in your own head. We fear uncertainty – or ‘what if’?… When you think about the worst case scenario in most modern day situations – you realize you truly don’t have much to fear anyway.
3 – In 30 or 40 years, if you look back at your life to this current time – Would you be happy with your actions in life? – Would you feel you truly tried to make the most of it by going after your true passions and motivations? Or would you regret just ‘playing it safe’ – and possibly resent the fact that you don’t know “what could have been if I…” ?
This chapter of his life is still open – its currently being written as we speak – And I’m trying to fuel his motivation to be the one holding the pen – who writes most of it – if not, all of it…
He has some special talents – he has some valued skills… He just needs to decide which ones he wants to pursue – and then, hop to it…
He knows I’m here to support and help him.
And I think if you are still reading this – you would gladly support him too. All I ask is that you show him some encouragement, by posting your comments and thoughts below – the more the better…
He knows this world holds much possibility when you decide to put yourself out there – now he just needs to ‘feel’ it a bit…
He and I may work on a project together that addresses healthy yet, simple and tasty meals and snacks for busy people, that fit into the fitness lifestyle – Or he may do it on his own – Either way, it will be incredible.
Dom & Joey Cooking It Up Healthy
I didn’t think this post would turn out to be this long… amazing what comes out when you start writing…
I thank you for being here – and for being a part of all this.
which hint I’m more in the ‘middle-age’ zone, from a chronological perspective.
